Parks & Recreation

The parks and recreation administration program at Wingate University prepares students for careers in community recreation and related leisure services. The curriculum includes a six-hour professional internship to prepare students for career options in:

• Travel & tourism

• Federal, state, and local government recreation

• Municipal park settings

A parks and recreation professional’s goal is to influence people to use their leisure time wisely to improve their quality of life. This is accomplished by providing recreation programs and facilities for people in a variety of settings. Parks and Recreation Administration majors have career opportunities in a wide variety of areas which include employment by:

• Park & recreation departments
• State planning & advisory groups
• Federal government through agencies such as the National Park Service, Corps of Engineers, US Forest Service and military establishments
• Youth & family service organizations such as the YMCA, YWCA, Boys' Club, Boy and Girl Scouts of America
• Industries seeking recreation directors to head corporate recreation programs
• Tourism agencies
• Commercial recreation establishments such as resorts, private clubs, theme parks, and convention and conference centers

Starting Fall Semester of 2006 Wingate University will offer the Master of Education in Sport Administration and the Master of Education in Physical Education. These classes will be taught at Wingate University Metro College in Matthews.

So, how do I "do" my parks and recreation experience at Wingate?
While at Wingate University, students will gain real-world experience planning and running recreation experiences for the general campus population and local community. These experiences range from organizing the Homecoming 5K Road Race and intramural activities to collaborative design of new university facilities and participation at the yearly North Carolina meeting of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance in Greensboro (NCAAHPERD).

Can I do a formal internship?  Can I earn credit for it?
YES! An internship is a  required part of the parks and recreation major. Students complete an off-campus internship the summer between their junior and senior years to expand their professional horizons and refine their professional interests. Students receive 6 hours of academic credit for this experience.

Where have students interned in the past?

• Jockey's Ridge State Park, Outer Banks, NC

• Cane Creek Park, NC

What type of career will I have?
The following list contains a sample of job titles Parks and Recreation Administration majors could hold:  

• Adventure travel coordinator

• Cruise ship activities staff

• Facility manager

• Park naturalist

• Activities coordinator

• Youth counselor

• Park police officer

• Park ranger

• Fish & game warden

• Children's activities resort coordinator

• Forest ranger

• Social director

• Tourism manager

• Program director

• Concert promoter

With some additional training, experience or education:  

• Conference organizer

• Tournament planner

• Stadium manager

• Mountain guide

• Dive master

• Sports promotion director

• Campus recreation director

• Recreation center director

• Nursing home programmer

• Camp director

What classes will I take?

• CMHU 101/201 Public Speaking/Interpersonal Communication

• SOC 201 Introduction to Sociology

• HEALTH 101 Personal & Community Health

• PE 145 Sport Safety Training

• REC 111 Introduction to Recreation Services

• REC 212/360 Program Planning & Organization/Leadership in Sport and Recreation

• REC 314 Outdoor Recreation

• REC 350 Historical Foundations of Recreation and Sport

• REC 404 Legal Aspects of Sport and Recreation

• REC 410 Adapted Sport

• REC 420 Adapted Sport

• REC 420 Leisure/Sport Facility Design & Management

• REC 430 Philosophical Foundations of Sport & Recreation

• REC 478 Internship Experience

• REC 479 Internship Experience

• PE 221/222 Individual & Dual Sport/Team Sport

• SPMT 402 Organization & Administration of PE & Sport

• PE 350/SPMT305/SPMT 300 Foundations of Coaching/Spot Psychology/Sport Marketing

• PSYC 301/302/340/401 Child/Adolescent/Women's Studies/Adulthood & Aging

• SOC 305/335/340 Urban Experience/Racial & Ethnic Group Relations/Intercultural Communication

• Computer Proficiency Exam (Freshman year)

• Exit Exam Research Project (Senior year)

CONTACT:
Dr. Dennis Johnson
Associate Professor, Assistant Dean of Education
& Program Coordinator for Parks & Recreation Program
djohnson@wingate.edu
704-233-8182